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Is the park brake cable touching the shock? If so, bend it slightly to get 1/4" clearance. It is also possible that the hard plastic protector up above is contacting the shock when the car is at normal height and going over bumps. They are a pretty tight snap into position fit at the top where the fasten to the aluminum black top mount. Maybe it is a little out of position at it's very top.
The wetness on the tube is within acceptable parameters of a good shock. I think 1/3 the way down is acceptable IIRC? I agree with the two possible causes mentioned above.
